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Harare Travel Guide: Where to Stay and What to Do

Pace: balanced Historic Cultural Bustling Green
Ideal trip length
3–7 days
Busiest
May-Oct

Updated September 2026

Harare

About Harare

Safari access gives Harare its identity; Zimbabwe's capital in Harare Province pairs nearby wildlife with urban culture.

Mukuvisi Woodlands brings wildlife encounters close to the city, while the National Gallery presents Zimbabwean art and Heroes’ Acre marks the country’s liberation history. Shona sculpture studios in Msasa add a cultural focus, and local tables turn out sadza, nyama and dovi.

May through October suits time outdoors and city sightseeing. Green avenues, a busy center and a strong artistic presence give Harare a distinctly urban setting, with Mukuvisi Woodlands as a useful anchor.

Where to stay

Hotels in Harare

Book direct on our own Harare hotel pages — no booking fee.

Stay like a local in Harare

Places to stay in Harare

Best for

Ranked by verified guest score, then stars. Based on 317 of 402 hotels with verified data.

Best for families

Family rooms listed · 10 hotels qualify

  1. Amanzi Lodge9.0/10 · 77 reviews · 4-star
  2. Art Lodges8.4/10 · 140 reviews · 4-star
  3. Mt Pleasant Bed and Breakfast Ltd8.2/10 · 318 reviews · 4-star
  4. Villa Prince8.0/10 · 348 reviews · 3-star
  5. Cresta Lodge Harare7.9/10 · 257 reviews · 3-star

Best for drivers

Free parking · 18 hotels qualify

  1. Nature on the HIll9.5/10 · 58 reviews · 4-star
  2. Weaver Cottages9.0/10 · 51 reviews · 4-star
  3. Jacaranda8.3/10 · 177 reviews · 4-star
  4. Stephen Margolis Resort8.0/10 · 79 reviews · 5-star
  5. N1 Hotel Rotten Row Harare7.9/10 · 488 reviews · 2-star

Best for a pool

Swimming pool listed · 12 hotels qualify

  1. 12 FLEETWOOD7.8/10 · 143 reviews · 3-star
  2. Gletwyn Boutique Guesthouse7.7/10 · 98 reviews · 3-star
  3. Holiday Inn Harare Hotel By IHG7.5/10 · 244 reviews
  4. Rainbow Towers Hotel & Conference Centre7.4/10 · 299 reviews
  5. Monomotapa7.2/10 · 264 reviews · 4-star

Harare at a glance

Check-in / check-out
2:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Free parking
262 of 287 hotels (91%)
Pool
81 of 317 hotels
Climate
Subtropical highland
Languages
English, Shona and Ndebele
Local currency
USD (USD)
Local time
(GMT+2)
Ideal trip length
3–7 days
Cost level
3 of 5 · our research
Suggested area to stay
Borrowdale
Tap water
Bottled water recommended
Tipping
Expected for good service

History, culture and food in Harare

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 60 · Moderate

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Sadza Mopane Worms Nyama Dovi

Hotel facts in Harare

Based on 317 of 402 hotels with verified data.

Hotels that listHotelsShare
Free parkingof hotels with verified parking262 of 28791%
Swimming pool81 of 31726%
24-hour front desk47 of 31715%
Facilities for disabled guests29 of 3179%
Family rooms31 of 31710%
Breakfast availablefree or paid depends on the rate4 of 3171%
Kitchen or kitchenette33 of 31710%
Airport shuttle3 free64 of 31720%

Pools and room sizes by star rating

StarsPoolStandard room
2-star1 of 725 m²usually 20 m²–25 m² · 3 hotels
3-star19 of 8725 m²usually 20 m²–27 m² · 23 hotels
4-star19 of 3732 m²usually 23 m²–35 m² · 13 hotels
5-star2 of 1322 m²usually 19 m²–35 m² · 7 hotels

When to visit Harare

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: May and August Busiest: May-Oct
  1. Jan
    0

    Often avoided: Heavy summer rain can disrupt outdoor plans and road travel.

  2. Feb
    9

    Often avoided: Heavy summer rain can disrupt outdoor plans and road travel.

  3. Mar
    29

    Cyclone season (Nov-Apr); impacts uncommon

  4. Apr
    38

    Harare International Festival of the Arts (cyclone season (Nov-Apr); impacts uncommon)

  5. May
    53

    Harare International Festival of the Arts

  6. Jun
    48

    Coolest, dry, clear

  7. Jul
    48

    Cool, dry, pleasant

  8. Aug
    57

    Heroes' Day

  9. Sep
    51

    Pleasant weather (avg high 28°C)

  10. Oct
    37

    Hot, dry, pre-rain

  11. Nov
    29

    Cyclone season (Nov-Apr); impacts uncommon

  12. Dec
    6

    Often avoided: Heavy summer rain can disrupt outdoor plans and road travel.

Things to do in Harare

7 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

3 places

Visit Heroes' Acre

Outside City Centre 2 hours

Outdoors

Safari at Mukuvisi Woodlands

East Harare 3 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Discover Mbare Musika

Mbare 2 hours

Outdoors

Best in the afternoon

3 places

Explore National Gallery

City Centre 2.5 hours

Indoors Good for children

Admire Shona Sculpture

Msasa 2 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Interact with Rescued Wildlife

West Harare 2.5 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Any time of day

1 place

Shop at Sam Levy's Village

Borrowdale 3 hours

Indoors Good for children

Harare itineraries, day by day

View all itineraries
3 Days in Harare — First-Timer Highlights
First-timer highlights

3 Days in Harare — First-Timer Highlights

3 days13 stops

Discover the vibrant heart of Zimbabwe, from historic landmarks to bustling markets and serene nature.

Things to book

Tours and activities in Harare

Guided tours, day trips and tickets to book alongside your stay.

Before you go to Harare

Our own ratings and notes on eating out, signature experiences, who the city suits and planning ahead.

Eating out

Sadza 95 · Outstanding
Mopane Worms 87 · Outstanding
Nyama 78 · Very good
Dovi 70 · Good

Signature experiences

Visit Heroes' Acre 95 · Outstanding
Explore National Gallery 91 · Outstanding
Safari At Mukuvisi Woodlands 87 · Outstanding
Admire Shona Sculpture 83 · Very good
Shop At Sam Levy's Village 78 · Very good
Discover Mbare Musika 74 · Good
Interact With Rescued Wildlife 70 · Good

Who it suits

Couples 95 · Outstanding
Friends 89 · Outstanding
Families 83 · Very good
Adventure 76 · Very good
Budget 70 · Good

Planning tips

Carry USD as it's widely accepted and preferred. 95 · Outstanding
Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. 83 · Very good
Negotiate prices for taxis and at informal markets. 70 · Good

Ratings and recommendations are curated from local travel data.

Near Harare

Straight-line distance from the centre of Harare.

Getaways from Harare

Places people from Harare travel to, from our own travel research.

Frequently asked questions about Harare

How many places to stay are there in Harare?

There are 400+ hotels, apartments and other places to stay in Harare. They include 43 hotels and 180+ apartments.

When is the peak season in Harare?

The peak season in Harare is May-Oct.

Which area is a good base in Harare?

The travel guide suggests staying in Borrowdale when visiting Harare.

Are there tours and activities in Harare?

Yes, 50 tours and activities are listed in Harare.

How many hotels in Harare have free parking?

262 of the 287 hotels in Harare with verified parking details list free parking (91%). 18 charge for parking.

What is the usual check-in time at hotels in Harare?

2:00 PM at 133 of the 304 hotels with a verified check-in time. The next most common time is 3:00 PM (108 hotels).

What time is check-out at hotels in Harare?

11:00 AM at 142 of 304 hotels with a verified check-out time; 10:00 AM at 118.

How many hotels in Harare have a pool?

81 of 317 hotels with verified data list a swimming pool.